Twin Shadow

No one channels the spirit of '80s New Wave as infectiously as George Lewis Jr., better known under his stage name Twin Shadow. Lewis wears his ‘80s pop influences on his sleeve throughout his sophomore album Confess, released on 4AD Records this July. The sleek synth-pop vibe of “Five Seconds” recalls Duran Duran and “Run My Heart” is not unlike many Springsteen power ballads.

On every song, Lewis’s breathy, straightforward vocals evoke the swagger of Prince. But Lewis’s R&B leanings give the sound of Twin Shadow its own distinct identity.

The inspiration for Confess came from a series of motorcycle rides which Lewis took after an accident, and the record reflects his youthful energy. The Dominican-born songwriter confronts himself with fist-pumping anthems which still manage to ponder rejection and desperation, and Lewis know how to tell a story—his new novel The Night of the Silver Sun ties in with his latest record and centers on a motorcycle gang in the future.

In this World Cafe session, hear Twin Shadow perform tracks from Confess and sit down for a memorable interview with host David Dye.